Prayers Taped to the Bible Cover

While going through his mother’s Bible recently, John T. Nicodemus decided to share with the Herald what was on the inside front cover. Nicodemus said he thought these passages could help readers.

Ruth A. Nicodemus died in 1987. She had seven prayers/passages taped to the inside of her Bible. They are as follows:

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A Morning Prayer

Help me, dear Lord, to live this day

As you would wish me to­—

And if I fail, then please forgive

The wrong things that I do

Give me the strength to comfort those

Who need a helping hand

Give me a loving heart

That I may better understand.

Help me to solve the problems

That are sure to come my way

But not forget the blessings

That are part of every day.

And finally, Lord, walk with me!

My faltering footsteps guide

For I need never be afraid

If You are by my side

– Alice E. Chase

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Lord, thou knowest that I am growing older. Keep me from getting talkative. Release me from trying to straighten out everybody’s affairs. Keep me from reciting endless details. Give me wings to get to the point.

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Hear My Prayers

Give me grace to listen to the tales of others’ pains, but help me to endure them with patience. But seal my lips as to my own aches and pains. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally it is possible that I may be mistaken. Keep me reasonable sweet, make me helpful but not bossy. I want a few friends at the end.

Note: The Herald printed the first four prayers in the Aug. 17, 2023, edition on Page B-2.